There is cautious support for plans among the SFL clubs but the devil will be in the detail

Football Writer

Thursday 10 January 2013

THE plans for what would happen in the top two divisions should a switch to a 12-12-18 set-up be formalised do not stint in detail.

While the setup at Pollok is impressive, some SFL clubs are concerned about what else would lie beneath the proposed 'National League'

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Graeme Macpherson

The same, however, cannot be said for the bottom tier. The proposals require the backing of 22 of the 29 Scottish Football League clubs – Rangers as associate members do not get a formal say – but, for now, many of those whose votes could be vital remain very much in the dark about just what they will be voting for.

The picture is somewhat blurry. There has been suggestions that three, possibly four, teams will be promoted from the 18-team National League, one or two of whom would go up via play-offs. At the other end of the division, there is the prospect of a pyramid scheme finally being constituted, the doors being thrown open to welcome clubs from the Juniors or the Highland, East of Scotland and South of Scotland leagues. The SFL clubs have followed the debate with interest and now hope more meat will be put on the bones before they are asked to vote in a few weeks. "There's a lot been said about 12-12-18 but it's a lot more than just numbers," said Henry McClelland, the chairman of Annan Athletic. "There are things to consider like the financial distribution, the merger of the two league bodies, play-offs and pyramid schemes, which are all important issues. "The concern with an 18-team league would be that there would be little to play for so it's important that that's avoided. Currently, in a 10-team third division, the majority of the teams are fighting to get into the play-off places. There needs to be that same level of competition."With the various bodies hopeful of getting a new system in place for next season, it leaves McClelland wondering what his team would have to play for in what remains of this term. "It really nullifies this season," he said. "There are clubs who have thrown a bit of money in the hope of going up with Rangers via the play-offs and it could turn out to be a complete waste of time."Upon Annan's election to the SFL in 2008, McClelland was keen to beat the drum for the closed doors system to be abolished and a pathway introduced where other non-league clubs could follow their path. He has not changed his mind. "We were fortunate to be voted in but we believe that's an antiquated system," he said. "I think there's a consensus that a pyramid is the right thing, provided there is an appropriate structure underneath. We're a south of Scotland club but came from the East of Scotland League so there would likely be somewhere for us to return if the worse happened."His enthusiasm was not shared by Tony Ford, chairman of East Stirlingshire. "A pyramid would, in theory, be fantastic but it's never going to happen," he said. "The fact is there's no place for clubs to go. Many Junior clubs don't want to know as licensing is expensive, so I can't see it getting off the ground."The main benefit to third division clubs would seem to be another full season reaping the rewards of playing against Rangers – assuming they haven't left Scottish football by then – but McClelland downplayed the significance of that. "That doesn't come into consideration," he said. "It's about doing the right thing for the benefit of everybody."Ford agreed: "The change has to be for the good of everyone, not just the elite clubs. Naturally every board of directors is out to look after their own clubs but you have to make sacrifices for the greater good. Rangers have said the whole thing is a disaster and others will agree. We may do ourselves but that's for another day once we've learned a lot more about it." The proposals did, however, find a surprise backer in Turnbull Hutton. The Raith Rovers chairman was a vocal critic of the authorities last summer but believes the new plans have merit. "I'm optimistic," he said. "If I had a list of things I'd like to have changed, I was never a fan of the financial distribution, the fact we had two bodies running our leagues, the boredom of playing each other four times. But if I look at what is being proposed now, there are some interesting possibilities. Does the financial picture look a lot brighter now? Absolutely. Without quoting numbers, the indicative numbers would make one hell of a difference to a club like ours."Les Gray, the chairman of Hamilton Academical, was positive, too. "I'm very supportive. If you have a better spread of money and better governance, then the number of teams you play isn't as significant as some people think."

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There is cautious support for plans among the SFL clubs but the devil will be in the detail

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